More votes backing pensions strike

The GMB has voted to strike over controversial public sector pension reforms

The prospect of a massive strike at the end of the month over public sector pensions has increased after more workers voted in favour of taking industrial action.

The GMB union and Ucatt, which represents building workers, said their members had overwhelmingly backed industrial action in protest at the Government's controversial reforms.

The GMB said its members working in local government, the NHS and the civil service across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have voted by more than 4 to 1 in favour of strike action on November 30 to defend their pensions, on a turnout of 33%.

Earlier, Ucatt said its members had voted by more than 4-1 in favour on a turnout of 27%.

GMB national officer Brian Strutton said: "GMB members have resoundingly said yes to strike action and no to the Government's raid on their pensions.

"It is now clear that millions of workers will be protesting on November 30 at the Government's attack on jobs and pensions. The Government have already accepted that the original proposals were unfair and wrong. It is not too late for the Government to pull back from this confrontation and scrap this attack on pensions."

Ucatt balloted its members in local government, the NHS, the Prison Service and the Civil Service who are involved in maintenance, repairs and infrastructure work.

Ucatt said the decisive vote underlined workers' "deep concern" that they will have to pay more, work longer and receive a lower pension when they retire, if the Government's plans are introduced.

Acting general secretary George Guy said: "Ucatt members do not take industrial action lightly. The level of support for strike action underlines just how worried our members are about the future of their pensions.

"It is not too late for the Government to return to negotiations and to introduce much fairer pension proposals for hardworking public sector workers."